The Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University Extension are teaming up to present the 2008 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences.

The conference will be held in five different Iowa towns Feb. 18, 19, 25, 26 and 27 to make it more convenient for owner/operators, contract growers, production employees, swine industry consultants and veterinarians to attend.

The meetings will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at each location.

"The regional conferences are always a great partnership of IPPA and Extension," said Colin Johnson, extension program specialist at ISU's Iowa Pork Industry Center. "With five meetings across the state, the expertise is at your doorstep. We look forward to visiting with producers."

An impressive lineup of speakers will make presentations on issues important to pork producers and others involved in the industry.

Dr. Locke Karriker, DVM, swine section leader in Food Supply Veterinary Services at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, will present "Case Studies of Disease Intervention." Using actual case studies, Karriker will explain why PCVAD, PRRS and other swine diseases occur, how co-infections can complicate disease management, and what steps help in alleviating economic and production affects.

Mark Bertram, Ph.D, with First Choice Livestock will lead a discussion on the availability, successes and challenges of DDGS, glycerol and other biofuels and related products in a session titled "Feeding Pigs in a Biofuels World."

"Feed inputs are of prime concern and Dr. Bertram will offer advice from the field on non-corn and soybean meal ingredients to guide us in getting the best diet for the dollar," Johnson said.

Various ISU Extension swine field specialists will present information on "Mortality Management and Trouble-shooting Composting." Overviews of the keys to successful compost management will be provided.

The conference dates and locations are:

		Feb. 18		Marr Park, 2943 Hwy. 92, Ainsworth
		Feb. 19		Oelwein Community Plaza, Oelwein
		Feb. 25		Corporate Centre, 950 North Main Ave., Sioux Center
		Feb. 26		Carroll County Extension Office, Carroll
		Feb. 27		Dows Community Center, 119 East Ellsworth, Dows

The cost to attend the conference is just $20 if you register in advance. You can pre-register by calling (800) 808-7675. The registration fee the day of the conference is $30. Checks should be made payable to the Iowa Pork Industry Center.

Registration will be 30 minutes prior to the start of each conference. The pre-registration deadline is two business days before each conference date. Meals and materials are guaranteed for each pre-registered participant.

For more information, contact Ron Birkenholz at IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or rbirkenholz@iowapork.org, or Colin Johnson at the Iowa Pork Industry Center at (800) 808-7675 or colinj@iastate.edu.